Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A knowledge or love of or taste for fine objects of art.
- noun Objects of art, especially fine antique objets d'art, considered as a group.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A word used chiefly in the phrase article of virtu, an object interesting for its precious material, fine or curious workmanship, antiquity, rarity, or the like, such as gems, medals,enamels,etc.: usually an object of some quality of art which appeals to fancy or to a curious taste.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A love of the fine arts; a taste for curiosities.
- noun an object of art or antiquity; a curiosity, such as those found in museums or private collections.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun art Knowledge of the
fine arts - noun art
objets d'art collectively
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun artistic quality
- noun objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques)
- noun love of or taste for fine objects of art
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Italians of that age called virtu, that is, personal courage, force, and elegance.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2: Assizes-Browne 1840-1916 1913
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The two variables were what Machiavelli called virtu and fortuna.
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The two variables were what Machiavelli called virtu and fortuna.
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In all these provinces, therefore, after the Romans fell, the Sects possessed, and yet possess in part, that virtu which is desired and lauded with true praise.
Discourses 2003
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So that if there had been any kind of virtu in Venice and in their institutions, they could easily have reorganized and shown a new face to their fortune, and would have been in time either to have won or lost more gloriously, or to have obtained a more honorable accord.
Discourses 2003
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Those who may want to imitate these men can be exposed to those vices of contempt and hatred, which as I have said above of Scipio and Hannibal, can be avoided by an excessive virtu which is in you, and not otherwise.
Discourses 2003
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MY DEAR FRIEND: I apply to you now, as to the greatest virtuoso of this, or perhaps any other age; one whose superior judgment and distinguishing eye hindered the King of Poland from buying a bad picture at Venice, and whose decisions in the realms of 'virtu' are final, and without appeal.
Complete Project Gutenberg Earl of Chesterfield Works Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield 1733
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However, let his Holiness's taste of 'virtu' be ever so bad, pray get somebody to present you to him before you leave
Complete Project Gutenberg Earl of Chesterfield Works Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield 1733
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MY DEAR FRIEND: I apply to you now, as to the greatest virtuoso of this, or perhaps any other age; one whose superior judgment and distinguishing eye hindered the King of Poland from buying a bad picture at Venice, and whose decisions in the realms of 'virtu' are final, and without appeal.
Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1751 Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield 1733
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However, let his Holiness's taste of 'virtu' be ever so bad, pray get somebody to present you to him before you leave
Letters to His Son on the Art of Becoming a Man of the World and a Gentleman, 1750 Philip Dormer Stanhope Chesterfield 1733
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